Event organiser Mark Holland said “This is a huge challenge for everyone involved but we are working up to it with regular training sessions. We are determined to raise as much money as possible for the RAF Benevolent Fund in memory of Group Captain Tom Barrett, who had intended to join us on the route when he was tragically killed in March.”

Gp Capt Barrett died on 10th March in a road traffic accident whilst cycling along the A40, which runs alongside RAF Northolt’s perimeter. He was the much-respected Station Commander at Northolt.

The cyclists and support crew, who are mainly from 32 (The Royal) Squadron, include: Wing Commander Jules Stilwell, Officer Commanding 32 Sqn; Flight Lieutenants Mark Crawford, Mark Holland, Paul McCormick, Tom Allen, Al Nichol, Luke Vardy, Jamie Pockett, Nick Elliott and Adam Janicki; Corporals Steve Roberts and Craig Apted; Corporal Jim Newman from the Station RAF Regiment Flight and Station Physio Mr Scott Grey. The team will be joined for part of the route by the current Station Commander, Gp Capt Tim O’Brien.

The team aim to cycle 100 miles a day, which works out as 9 hours in the saddle at an average speed of 11.1mph.They will be cycling over the Alps and climbing up to 5,000 feet in one day – all whilst maintaining that steady 11.1mph!

You can donate to their Justgiving page and help them reach their target of £10,000 – so far they’ve raised a third of their target sum.

RAF Benevolent Fund Regional Director Paul Hewson said “This is a fantastic project from the team at RAF Northolt and I do hope that everyone will contribute to the fundraising effort. The RAF Benevolent Fund exists to support serving and former RAF personnel in need and every penny raised is important to us.”